Information About

Octoroon




This was part of a Race classification used in the Spanish and French colonies in the New World , and to some extent also used in the Southern United States in the 19th Century . Octoroons were considered "colored" and often subject to Slavery in the colonial era, but sometimes given more privileges than slaves with a greater degree of more direct and immediate African ancestry. The child of an octoroon and a white person was referred to as a Quintroon . Homer Plessy was a famous octoroon.


OCTOROONS IN POPULAR CULTURE

The first season of MadTV included a poplular sketch entitled "The Octoroon." Memorable quotes include "Once you go octoroon, you'll be wanting more soon!"

In 1997, Laura Love released an album entitled "The Octoroon."

Octoroons were a popular theme of early twentieth century cinema. Silent films "The Octoroon" and "The White Slave; or, The Octoroon" were both released in 1913.


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